Water heater appliance

ABSTRACT

A water heater appliance includes a support ring disposed on an outer shell of the water heater appliance. The support ring extends about the outer shell. The support ring includes a first segment and a second segment pivotally mounted to the first segment. The support ring assists with limiting or preventing damage to the water heater appliance during transit or shipping of the water heater appliance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to water heater appliances, such as heat pump water heater appliances, and support members for the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shipping water heater appliances poses certain challenges. In particular, water heater appliances may be damaged during transit by other objects impacting the water heater appliances or by falling over during transit. Damaged water heater appliances are expensive to repair or replace. In particular, sealed systems of heat pump water heaters can be expensive to repair or replace if the heat pump water heaters are dropped or struck.

Various shipping accessories are available to limit or prevent damage to water heater appliances during transit. Certain water heater appliances are shipped within a deformable foam band. Securing the foam band about the water heater appliances can be difficult. In particular, the foam band is generally elastically deformed in order to position the foam band on the water heater appliances. However, the foam band may break or fracture during such elastic deformation. Broken foam bands are scrapped and increase the overall cost of associated water heater appliances.

Accordingly, a water heater appliance with features for limiting or preventing damage to the water heater appliance during shipping of the water heater appliance would be useful. In particular, a water heater appliance with features for limiting or preventing damage to the water heater appliance during shipping of the water heater appliance that are also easily mounted to the water heater appliance would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a water heater appliance. The water heater appliance includes a support ring disposed on an outer shell of the water heater appliance. The support ring extends about the outer shell. The support ring includes a first segment and a second segment pivotally mounted to the first segment. The support ring assists with limiting or preventing damage to the water heater appliance during transit or shipping of the water heater appliance. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a water heater appliance is provided. The water heater appliance includes an outer shell and a tank disposed within the outer shell. The tank defines an interior volume. A heating element is configured for heating water within the interior volume of the tank. A support ring is disposed at a middle portion of the outer shell and extends about the outer shell. The support ring includes a first segment and a second segment pivotally mounted to the first segment.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a water heater appliance is provided. The water heater appliance defines a circumferential direction. The water heater appliance includes an outer shell and a tank disposed within the outer shell. A heating element is configured for heating water within the tank. A support ring extends about the outer shell along the circumferential direction. The support ring includes a first segment and a second segment. A hinge assembly pivotally mounts the first segment to the second segment.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a water heater appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a schematic view of certain components of the exemplary water heater appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of the exemplary water heater appliance of FIG. 1 with a support ring according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter mounted to the exemplary water heater appliance.

FIGS. 4 and 5 provide perspective views of the exemplary support ring of the FIG. 3 with the exemplary support ring shown in open and closed configurations, respectively.

FIG. 6 provides a partial, perspective view of a hinge assembly of the exemplary support ring of the FIG. 3.

FIGS. 7 and 8 provide partial perspective views of a lock assembly of the exemplary support ring of the FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a water heater appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Water heater appliance 100 includes an outer shell or casing 102. Casing 102 generally surrounds a tank 112 (FIG. 2) such that tank 112 is disposed within casing 102. Casing 102 may be formed from a variety of components. As illustrated, casing 102 may include a wrapper 154 and one or more covers, such as a top cover 156 and a bottom cover 158 as illustrated. Covers 156, 158 may be fastened or coupled to wrapper 154 to form casing 102.

Upper and lower heating elements 118, 119 (FIG. 2) and a sealed system 120 (FIG. 2) may also be positioned within casing 102 for heating water within tank 112. Upper and lower heating elements 118, 119 can be any suitable heating elements. For example, upper heating element 118 and/or lower heating element 119 may be an electric resistance element, a microwave element, an induction element, or any other suitable heating element or combination thereof. Lower heating element 119 may also be a gas burner. As will be understood by those skilled in the art and as used herein, the term “water” includes purified water and solutions or mixtures containing water and, e.g., elements (such as calcium, chlorine, and fluorine), salts, bacteria, nitrates, organics, and other chemical compounds or substances.

Water heater appliance 100 also includes an inlet or cold water conduit 104 and an outlet or hot water conduit 106 that are both in fluid communication with a chamber or interior volume 114 (FIG. 2) defined by tank 112. As an example, cold water from a water source, e.g., a municipal water supply or a well, can enter water heater appliance 100 through cold water conduit 104. From cold water conduit 104, such cold water can enter interior volume 114 of tank 112 wherein it is heated with heating elements 118, 119 and/or sealed system 120 to generate heated water. Such heated water can exit water heater appliance 100 at hot water conduit 106 and, e.g., be supplied to a bath, shower, sink, or any other suitable feature.

Water heater appliance 100 extends longitudinally between a top portion 108 and a bottom portion 109 along a vertical direction V. Thus, water heater appliance 100 is generally vertically oriented. Water heater appliance 100 can be leveled, e.g., such that casing 102 is plumb in the vertical direction V, in order to facilitate proper operation of water heater appliance 100. A drain pan 110 is positioned at bottom portion 109 of water heater appliance 100 such that water heater appliance 100 sits on drain pan 110. Drain pan 110 sits beneath water heater appliance 100 along the vertical direction V, e.g., to collect water that leaks from water heater appliance 100 or water that condenses on an evaporator 128 (FIG. 2) of water heater appliance 100. It should be understood that water heater appliance 100 is provided by way of example only and that the present subject matter may be used with any suitable water heater appliance, including for example a heat pump water heater appliance.

FIG. 2 provides a schematic view of certain components of water heater appliance 100. As may be seen in FIG. 2, water heater appliance 100 may include sealed system 120 for heating water within interior volume 114 of tank 112. Sealed system 120 generally operates in a heat pump cycle. Thus, water heater appliance 100 is commonly referred to as a “heat pump water heater appliance.” Water heater appliance 100 may additionally include one or more auxiliary heating elements, such as upper heating element 118 and/or lower heating element 119.

Sealed system 120 may include a compressor 122, a first condenser 124, a second condenser 126 and an evaporator 128. Compressor 122 and/or evaporator 128 of sealed system 120 may be disposed within casing 102 at top portion 108 of water heater appliance 100. As is generally understood, various conduits may be utilized to flow refrigerant between the various components of sealed system 120. Thus, e.g., evaporator 128 may be between and in fluid communication with second condenser 126 and compressor 122. During operation of sealed system 120, refrigerant may flow from evaporator 128 through compressor 122. For example, refrigerant may exit evaporator 128 as a fluid in the form of a superheated vapor and/or high quality vapor mixture. Upon exiting evaporator 128, the refrigerant may enter compressor 122. Compressor 122 may be operable to compress the refrigerant. Accordingly, the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant may be increased in compressor 122 such that the refrigerant becomes a superheated vapor.

Each condenser 124, 126 may be assembled in a heat exchange relationship with tank 112 in order to heat water within interior volume 114 of tank 112 during operation of sealed system 120. First condenser 124 may be positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with compressor 122, and may be operable to heat the water within interior volume 114 using energy from the refrigerant. For example, the superheated vapor from compressor 122 may enter first condenser 124 wherein it transfers energy to the water within tank 112 and condenses into a saturated liquid and/or liquid vapor mixture. Second condenser 126 may be positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with first condenser 124, and may additionally be operable to heat the water within interior volume 114 using energy from the refrigerant, such as by further condensing the refrigerant.

Sealed system 120 may also include a first throttling device 130 between first condenser 124 and second condenser 126, and/or a second throttling device 132 between second condenser 126 and evaporator 128. Refrigerant, which may be in the form saturated liquid vapor mixture, may exit first condenser 124 and travel through first throttling device 130 before flowing through second condenser 126. First throttling device 130 may generally expand the refrigerant, lowering the pressure and temperature thereof. The refrigerant may then be flowed through second condenser 126. Similarly, refrigerant, which may be in the form of high quality/saturated liquid vapor mixture, may exit second condenser 126 and travel through second throttling device 132 before flowing through evaporator 128. Second throttling device 132 may generally expand the refrigerant, lowering the pressure and temperature thereof. The refrigerant may then be flowed through evaporator 128.

First and second throttling devices 130, 132 may be any suitable components for generally expanding the refrigerant. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, first and second throttling device 130, 132 may be a Joule-Thomson expansion valve, also known as a “J-T valve.” In other exemplary embodiments, first and second throttling device 130, 132 may be an ejector. In still other exemplary embodiments, a capillary tube, fixed orifice, or other suitable apparatus may be utilized as first and second throttling device 130, 132.

Water heater appliance 100 may additionally include a temperature sensor 152. Temperature sensor 152 may be configured for measuring a temperature of water within interior volume 114 of tank 112. Temperature sensor 152 can be positioned at any suitable location within water heater appliance 100. For example, temperature sensor 152 may be positioned within interior volume 114 of tank 112 or may be mounted to tank 112 outside of interior volume 114 of tank 112. Temperature sensor 152 may further be positioned within upper portion 160 or lower portion 162. When mounted to tank 112 outside of interior volume 114 of tank 112, temperature sensor 152 can be configured for indirectly measuring the temperature of water within interior volume 114 of tank 112. For example, temperature sensor 152 can measure the temperature of tank 112 and correlate the temperature of tank 112 to the temperature of water within interior volume 114 of tank 112. Temperature sensor 152 may be any suitable temperature sensor. For example, temperature sensor 152 may be a thermocouple or a thermistor.

Water heater appliance 100 may further include a controller 150 that regulates operation of water heater appliance 100. Controller 150 may be, for example, in operative communication with sealed system 120 (such as compressor 122, and/or other components thereof), auxiliary heating elements, and/or temperature sensor 152. Thus, controller 150 can selectively activate system 120 and/or auxiliary heating elements in order to heat water within interior volume 114 of tank 112.

Controller 150 includes memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of water heater appliance 100. The memory can represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. The processor executes programming instructions stored in the memory. The memory can be a separate component from the processor or can be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 150 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of water heater appliance 100 with a support ring 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter mounted to water heater appliance 100. Support ring 200 may be used to assist with hindering or preventing damage to an associated water heater appliance. For example, support ring 200 may assist with transferring or deflecting forces during transport of shipping of a water heater appliance. Support ring 200 may be used on or with any suitable water heater appliance. For example, support ring 200 may be used with or on water heater appliance 100, as shown in FIG. 3.

As may be seen in FIG. 3, support ring 200 may be disposed or positioned at a middle portion 103 of casing 102, e.g., on wrapper 154 of casing 102, between top and bottom portions 108, 109 of water heater appliance 100. Support ring 200 may be positioned at any other suitable location on water heater appliance 100 in alternative exemplary embodiments. Support ring 200 also extends about casing 102, e.g., wrapper 154 of casing 102, along a circumferential direction C. Support ring 200 may assist with limiting or preventing damage to water heater appliance 100, e.g., during shipping or transport of water heater appliance 100.

FIGS. 4 and 5 provide perspective views of support ring 200. Support ring 200 is shown in an open configuration in FIG. 4. Conversely, support ring 200 is shown in a closed configuration in FIG. 5. As may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, support ring 200 includes a first arm or segment 210 and a second arm or segment 220. First and second segments 210, 220 are pivotally mounted to each other. Thus, as an example, second segment 220 may pivot relative to first segment 210, e.g., about a pivot axis A. Second segment 220 may pivot by any suitable amount relative to first segment 210. For example, second segment 220 may pivot by at least five degrees or at least ten degrees on the pivot axis A relative to first segment 210. As another example, second segment 220 may pivot by at least twenty degrees on the pivot axis A relative to first segment 210. As yet another example, second segment 220 may pivot by at least thirty degrees on the pivot axis A relative to first segment 210.

Support ring 200 has or defines an outer perimeter OP and an inner perimeter IP when support ring 200 is in the closed configuration (FIG. 5). As may be seen in FIG. 5, outer perimeter OP of support ring 200 may be generally square when support ring 200 is in the closed configuration. Thus, while support ring 200 may include various projections and indentions, outer perimeter OP of support ring 200 is shaped to allow support ring 200 to fit with a shipping container, such as a corrugated cardboard box. In particular, support ring 200 may extend between side walls of the shipping container in order to support water heater appliance 100 within the shipping container and hinder to prevent damage to water heater appliance 100, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. As shown in FIG. 5, inner perimeter IP of support ring 200 may be circular when support ring 200 is in the closed configuration. Thus, inner perimeter IP of support ring 200 is shaped for receiving and supporting water heater appliance 100 within support ring 200, as discussed in greater detail below.

Support ring 200 may be constructed of or with any suitable material. For example, support ring 200 may be constructed of or with expanded polystyrene. In particular, first segment 210 and second segment 220 may be formed of separate or discrete pieces of expanded polystyrene and mounted to each other.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, first segment 210 of support ring 200 extends between a hinge portion 212 and a locking portion 214, e.g., along the circumferential direction. Thus, hinge portion 212 and locking portion 214 of first segment 210 may be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction C on casing 102 of water heater appliance 100. Hinge portion 212 and locking portion 214 of first segment 210 may be spaced apart from each other by any suitable distance along the circumferential direction C. For example, hinge portion 212 and locking portion 214 of first segment 210 may be spaced apart from each other by about (e.g., within ten percent of) one hundred and eighty degrees along the circumferential direction C. In such a manner, hinge portion 212 and locking portion 214 of first segment 210 may be positioned opposite each other on casing 102 of water heater appliance 100.

Second segment 220 of support ring 200 also extends between a hinge portion 222 and a locking portion 224, e.g., along the circumferential direction. Thus, hinge portion 222 and locking portion 224 of second segment 220 may be spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction C on casing 102 of water heater appliance 100. Hinge portion 222 and locking portion 224 of second segment 220 may be spaced apart from each other by any suitable distance along the circumferential direction C. For example, hinge portion 222 and locking portion 224 of second segment 220 may be spaced apart from each other by about one hundred and eighty degrees along the circumferential direction C. In such a manner, hinge portion 222 and locking portion 224 of second segment 220 may be positioned opposite each other on casing 102 of water heater appliance 100.

As may be see in FIGS. 4 and 5, hinge portion 212 of first segment 210 is pivotally mounted to hinge portion 222 of second segment 220, e.g., with a hinge assembly 230 of support ring 200. Similarly, locking portion 214 of first segment 210 is selectively secured to locking portion 224 of second segment 220, e.g., with a lock assembly 240 of support ring 200. Thus, hinge assembly 230 may assist with permitting support ring 200 to adjust between the open and closed configurations, and lock assembly 240 may assist with selectively securing support ring 200 in the closed configuration.

FIG. 6 provides a partial, perspective view of hinge assembly 230 of support ring 200. As may be seen in FIG. 6, hinge assembly 230 pivotally mounts first segment 210 to second segment 220. Hinge assembly 230 may be any suitable mechanism for pivotally mounting first segment 210 to second segment 220. For example, hinge assembly 230 may include a cylinder 216 positioned at hinge portion 212 of first segment 210. Hinge assembly 230 may also include a socket 226 defined at hinge portion 222 of second segment 220. Cylinder 216 is received within socket 226 such that cylinder 216 is rotatable within socket 226. Thus, cylinder 216 may rotate within socket 226, e.g., on the pivot axis A, during pivoting of first and second segments 210, 220 relative to each other.

Hinge portion 212 of first segment 210 may also include an end wall 217. Cylinder 216 of first segment 210 may be mounted to and/or positioned at end wall 217 of first segment 210. Hinge portion 222 of second segment 220 may also include an outer projection 227. Outer projection 227 of second segment 220 is positioned on or contacts end wall 217 of first segment 210 when support ring 200 is in the open configuration. Conversely, outer projection 227 of second segment 220 is spaced apart from end wall 217 of first segment 210 when support ring 200 is in the closed configuration. In such a manner, outer projection 227 and end wall 217 may permit and limit pivoting of first and second segments 210, 220 relative to each other. In particular, outer projection 227 may act as a stop to limit pivoting of first and second segments 210, 220 relative to each other.

FIGS. 7 and 8 provide partial perspective views of lock assembly 240 of support ring 200. As may be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, lock assembly 240 includes features on first and second segments 210, 220 of support ring 200. In particular, lock assembly 240 includes features at locking portion 214 of first segment 210 and locking portion 224 of second segment 220. Locking assembly 240 is configured for selectively securing locking portion 214 of first segment 210 and locking portion 224 of second segment 220 together. Lock assembly 240 may include any suitable mechanism for selectively securing locking portion 214 of first segment 210 and locking portion 224 of second segment 220 together. For example, locking assembly 240 may include tape, fasteners, adhesive, etc.

In certain exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, locking assembly 240 includes a wedge 218 and a slot 228. Wedge 218 and slot 228 are mounted to a respective one of first and second segment 210, 220, e.g., at locking portion 214 of first segment 210 and locking portion 224 of second segment 220. For example, wedge 218 may be mounted to first segment 210 at locking portion 214 of first segment 210, and slot 228 may be defined by second segment 220 at locking portion 224 of second segment 220. Slot 228 is shaped for receiving wedge 218. Thus, wedge 218 may be inserted into or positioned within slot 228 when support ring 200 is in the closed configuration. In particular, wedge 218 may be positioned within slot 228 such that slot 228 hinders or prevents wedge 218 from displacing away from slot 228 along the circumferential direction C. Wedge 218 may be tapered such that wedge 218 is wider at a top portion 219 of wedge 218 to assist interference or coupling between wedge 218 and slot 228. Wedge 218 and slot 228 permit lock assembly 240 to selectively secure locking portion 214 of first segment 210 and locking portion 224 of second segment 220 together, e.g., without tape or any other adhesive.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A water heater appliance, comprising: an outer shell; a tank disposed within the outer shell, the tank defining an interior volume; a heating element configured for heating water within the interior volume of the tank; and a support ring disposed at a middle portion of the outer shell and extending about the outer shell, the support ring comprising a first segment; and a second segment pivotally mounted to the first segment.
 2. The water heater appliance of claim 1, wherein the first and second segments of the support ring each extend between a hinge portion and a locking portion, the hinge portion of the first segment pivotally mounted to the hinge portion of the second segment, the locking portion of the first segment selectively secured to the locking portion of the second segment.
 3. The water heater appliance of claim 2, wherein the water heater appliance defines a circumferential direction, the hinge portion of the first segment and the locking portion of the first segment spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction on the outer shell, the hinge portion of the second segment and the locking portion of the second segment spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction on the outer shell.
 4. The water heater appliance of claim 3, wherein the hinge portion of the first segment and the locking portion of the first segment are positioned opposite each other on the outer shell along the circumferential direction, the hinge portion of the second segment and the locking portion of the second segment also positioned opposite each other on the outer shell along the circumferential direction.
 5. The water heater appliance of claim 2, wherein the hinge portion of the first segment comprises a cylinder and the hinge portion of the second segment comprises a socket, the cylinder of the first segment received within the socket of the second segment such that the cylinder of the first segment is rotatable within the socket of the second segment.
 6. The water heater appliance of claim 5, wherein the hinge portion of the first segment comprises an end wall, the cylinder of the first segment mounted to the end wall of the first segment, the hinge portion of the second segment comprising an outer projection, the outer projection of the second segment positioned on the end wall of the first segment when the support ring is in an open configuration, the outer projection of the second segment spaced apart from the end wall of the first segment when the support ring is in a closed configuration.
 7. The water heater appliance of claim 5, wherein the locking portions of the first and second segments engage selectively engage each other at a lock assembly of the support ring, the lock assembly comprising a wedge and a slot, the wedge mounted to and the slot defined on a respective one of the locking portions of the first and second segments, the wedge positioned within the slot when the support ring is in a closed configuration.
 8. The water heater appliance of claim 7, wherein the wedge is tapered such that the wedge is wider at a top portion of the wedge.
 9. The water heater appliance of claim 1, wherein the second segment is pivotable by at least five degrees relative to the first segment.
 10. The water heater appliance of claim 1, wherein the support ring has an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, the outer perimeter of the support ring being generally square, the inner perimeter of the support ring being circular.
 11. The water heater appliance of claim 1, wherein the support ring is constructed with expanded polystyrene.
 12. A water heater appliance defining a circumferential direction, the water heater appliance comprising: an outer shell; a tank disposed within the outer shell; a heating element configured for heating water within the tank; a support ring extending about the outer shell along the circumferential direction, the support ring comprising a first segment; a second segment; a hinge assembly pivotally mounting the first segment to the second segment.
 13. The water heater appliance of claim 12, wherein the first and second segments of the support ring each extend between a hinge portion and a locking portion spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction, the hinge assembly comprising a cylinder positioned at the hinge portion of the first segment and a socket defined at the hinge portion of the second segment, the cylinder received within the socket such that the cylinder is rotatable within the socket.
 14. The water heater appliance of claim 13, wherein the hinge portion of the first segment and the locking portion of the first segment are positioned opposite each other on the outer shell along the circumferential direction, the hinge portion of the second segment and the locking portion of the second segment also positioned opposite each other on the outer shell along the circumferential direction.
 15. The water heater appliance of claim 13, wherein the hinge portion of the first segment comprises an end wall, the cylinder of the hinge assembly mounted to the end wall of the first segment, the hinge portion of the second segment comprising an outer projection, the outer projection of the second segment positioned on the end wall of the first segment when the support ring is in an open configuration, the outer projection of the second segment spaced apart from the end wall of the first segment when the support ring is in a closed configuration.
 16. The water heater appliance of claim 13, wherein the support ring further comprises a lock assembly, the locking portions of the first and second segments engage selectively engaging each other at the lock assembly of the support ring, the lock assembly comprising a wedge and a slot, the wedge mounted to and the slot defined on a respective one of the locking portions of the first and second segments, the wedge positioned within the slot when the support ring is in a closed configuration.
 17. The water heater appliance of claim 16, wherein the wedge is tapered such that the wedge is wider at a top portion of the wedge.
 18. The water heater appliance of claim 12, wherein the hinge assembly is configured such that the second segment is pivotable by at least five degrees relative to the first segment.
 19. The water heater appliance of claim 12, wherein the support ring has an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, the outer perimeter of the support ring being generally square, the inner perimeter of the support ring being circular.
 20. The water heater appliance of claim 12, wherein the support ring is constructed with expanded polystyrene. 